Tool box assembly

ABSTRACT

A tool box assembly includes a first case, and a second case pivotally mounted on the first case. The first case and the second case respectively have the same structure. Thus, the first case and the second case have the same structure, so that the manufacturer only needs to prepare a single mold to make the tool box assembly, thereby decreasing costs of fabrication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a tool box assembly, and more particularly to a tool box assembly that decreases costs of fabrication and maintenance.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional tool box comprises a first case, a second case pivotally mounted on the first case, and a flexible strip connected between the first case and the second case. Thus, the first case and the second case are pivoted relative to each other by flexibility of the flexible strip so as to expand and fold the conventional tool box. However, the manufacturer needs to prepare two molds to make the first case and the second case respectively, thereby increasing costs of fabrication. In addition, the flexible strip is easily worn out during a long-term utilization, thereby shortening the lifetime of the conventional tool box.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a tool box assembly, comprising a first case, and a second case pivotally mounted on the first case, wherein:

the first case has a side having a first end provided with a pivot member and a second end provided with a pivot seat; and

the second case has a side having a first end provided with a pivot member pivotally mounted on the pivot seat of the first case and a second end provided with a pivot seat on which the pivot member of the first case is pivotally mounted.

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a tool box assembly, wherein the first case and the second case have the same structure, so that the manufacturer only needs to prepare a single mold to make the tool box assembly, thereby decreasing costs of fabrication.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a tool box assembly, wherein the first case and the second case have the same structure, so that either one of the first case and the second case can be replaced when being worn out, thereby decreasing costs of maintenance.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a tool box assembly, wherein the first case is pivoted relative to the second case by pivot of the pivot shafts in the clamping recesses, so that the connection between the first case and the second case is not worn out easily, thereby enhancing the lifetime of the tool box assembly.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a tool box assembly, wherein the first case and the second case are fully expanded by provision of the cutouts, thereby facilitating the user expanding and operating the tool box assembly.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tool box assembly in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the tool box assembly as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a locally perspective enlarged view of the tool box assembly as shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic expanded view of the tool box assembly as shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-3, a tool box assembly in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a first case 10, and a second case 50 pivotally mounted on the first case 10.

The first case 10 has a side having a first end provided with a pivot member 20 and a second end provided with a pivot seat 30.

The pivot member 20 of the first case 10 includes a wedge-shaped protruding rib 21 having a first end formed on and protruded outward from the first case 10 to enhance the strength of the pivot member 20 of the first case 10, and a pivot shaft 25 integrally formed on a second end of the protruding rib 21. The pivot shaft 25 of the pivot member 20 of the first case 10 is parallel with the side of the first case 10. The protruding rib 21 of the pivot member 20 of the first case 10 is located at a mediate portion of the pivot shaft 25.

The pivot seat 30 of the first case 10 is formed on and protruded outward from the first case 10 and has an inside formed with a clamping recess 32. The clamping recess 32 of the pivot seat 30 of the first case 10 is substantially arcuate shaped and has an opening facing outward. The pivot seat 30 of the first case 10 has a mediate portion formed with a cutout 35 extended through the mediate portion of the pivot seat 30 of the first case 10.

The second case 50 has a structure the same as that of the first case 10. The second case 50 has a side having a first end provided with a pivot member 60 pivotally mounted on the pivot seat 30 of the first case 10 and a second end provided with a pivot seat 70 on which the pivot member 20 of the first case 10 is pivotally mounted.

The pivot member 60 of the second case 50 includes a wedge-shaped protruding rib 61 having a first end formed on and protruded outward from the second case 50 to enhance the strength of the pivot member 60 of the second case 50, and a pivot shaft 65 integrally formed on a second end of the protruding rib 61 and pivotally mounted in the clamping recess 32 of the pivot seat 30 of the first case 10. The clamping recess 32 of the pivot seat 30 of the first case 10 encompasses the pivot shaft 65 of the pivot member 60 of the second case 50 to an extent exceeding half of a diameter of the pivot shaft 65 of the pivot member 60 of the second case 50. The protruding rib 61 of the pivot member 60 of the second case 50 is aligning with the cutout 35 of the pivot seat 30 of the first case 10 to prevent from incurring interference between the first case 10 and the second case 50 during expansion. The pivot shaft 65 of the pivot member 60 of the second case 50 is parallel with the side of the second case 50. The protruding rib 61 of the pivot member 60 of the second case 50 is located at a mediate portion of the pivot shaft 65.

The pivot seat 70 of the second case 50 is formed on and protruded outward from the second case 50 and has an inside formed with a clamping recess 72. The pivot shaft 25 of the pivot member 20 of the first case 10 is pivotally mounted in the clamping recess 72 of the pivot seat 70 of the second case 50. The clamping recess 72 of the pivot seat 70 of the second case 50 is substantially arcuate shaped and has an opening facing outward. The clamping recess 72 of the pivot seat 70 of the second case 50 encompasses the pivot shaft 25 of the pivot member 20 of the first case 10 to an extent exceeding half of a diameter of the pivot shaft 25 of the pivot member 20 of the first case 10. The pivot seat 70 of the second case 50 has a mediate portion formed with a cutout 75 extended through the mediate portion of the pivot seat 70 of the second case 50. The protruding rib 21 of the pivot member 20 of the first case 10 is aligning with the cutout 75 of the pivot seat 70 of the second case 50 to prevent from incurring interference between the first case 10 and the second case 50 during expansion.

As shown in FIG. 4, the pivot shaft 25 of the pivot member 20 of the first case 10 is pivoted in the clamping recess 72 of the pivot seat 70 of the second case 50, and the pivot shaft 65 of the pivot member 60 of the second case 50 is pivoted in the clamping recess 32 of the pivot seat 30 of the first case 10, so that the first case 10 is pivoted relative to the second case 50 freely. Thus, the tool box assembly is disposed at an expanded state.

Accordingly, the first case 10 and the second case 50 have the same structure, so that the manufacturer only needs to prepare a single mold to make the tool box assembly, thereby decreasing costs of fabrication. In addition, the first case 10 and the second case 50 have the same structure, so that either one of the first case 10 and the second case 50 can be replaced when being worn out, thereby decreasing costs of maintenance. Further, the first case 10 is pivoted relative to the second case 50 by pivot of the pivot shafts 25 and 65 in the clamping recesses 72 and 32, so that the connection between the first case 10 and the second case 50 is not worn out easily, thereby enhancing the lifetime of the tool box assembly. Further, the first case 10 and the second case 50 are fully expanded by provision of the cutouts 35 and 75, thereby facilitating the user expanding and operating the tool box assembly.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention. 

1. A tool box assembly, comprising a first case, and a second case pivotally mounted on the first case, wherein: the first case has a side having a first end provided with a pivot member and a second end provided with a pivot seat; and the second case has a side having a first end provided with a pivot member pivotally mounted on the pivot seat of the first case and a second end provided with a pivot seat on which the pivot member of the first case is pivotally mounted.
 2. The tool box assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein: the pivot seat of the second case is formed on and protruded outward from the second case and has an inside formed with a clamping recess; and the pivot member of the first case includes a protruding rib having a first end formed on and protruded outward from the first case, and a pivot shaft integrally formed on a second end of the protruding rib and pivotally mounted in the clamping recess of the pivot seat of the second case.
 3. The tool box assembly in accordance with claim 2, wherein the protruding rib of the pivot member of the first case is substantially wedge-shaped.
 4. The tool box assembly in accordance with claim 2, wherein the pivot shaft of the pivot member of the first case is parallel with the side of the first case.
 5. The tool box assembly in accordance with claim 2, wherein the protruding rib of the pivot member of the first case is located at a mediate portion of the pivot shaft.
 6. The tool box assembly in accordance with claim 2, wherein the clamping recess of the pivot seat of the second case is substantially arcuate shaped.
 7. The tool box assembly in accordance with claim 2, wherein the clamping recess of the pivot seat of the second case has an opening facing outward.
 8. The tool box assembly in accordance with claim 2, wherein the clamping recess of the pivot seat of the second case encompasses the pivot shaft of the pivot member of the first case to an extent exceeding half of a diameter of the pivot shaft of the pivot member of the first case.
 9. The tool box assembly in accordance with claim 2, wherein the pivot seat of the second case has a mediate portion formed with a cutout extended through the mediate portion of the pivot seat of the second case.
 10. The tool box assembly in accordance with claim 9, wherein the protruding rib of the pivot member of the first case is aligning with the cutout of the pivot seat of the second case.
 11. The tool box assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second case has a structure the same as that of the first case.
 12. The tool box assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pivot seat of the first case is formed on and protruded outward from the first case and has an inside formed with a clamping recess; and the pivot member of the second case includes a protruding rib having a first end formed on and protruded outward from the second case, and a pivot shaft integrally formed on a second end of the protruding rib and pivotally mounted in the clamping recess of the pivot seat of the first case.
 13. The tool box assembly in accordance with claim 12, wherein the protruding rib of the pivot member of the second case is substantially wedge-shaped.
 14. The tool box assembly in accordance with claim 12, wherein the pivot shaft of the pivot member of the second case is parallel with the side of the second case.
 15. The tool box assembly in accordance with claim 12, wherein the protruding rib of the pivot member of the second case is located at a mediate portion of the pivot shaft.
 16. The tool box assembly in accordance with claim 12, wherein the clamping recess of the pivot seat of the first case is substantially arcuate shaped.
 17. The tool box assembly in accordance with claim 12, wherein the clamping recess of the pivot seat of the first case has an opening facing outward.
 18. The tool box assembly in accordance with claim 12, wherein the clamping recess of the pivot seat of the first case encompasses the pivot shaft of the pivot member of the second case to an extent exceeding half of a diameter of the pivot shaft of the pivot member of the second case.
 19. The tool box assembly in accordance with claim 12, wherein the pivot seat of the first case has a mediate portion formed with a cutout extended through the mediate portion of the pivot seat of the first case.
 20. The tool box assembly in accordance with claim 19, wherein the protruding rib of the pivot member of the second case is aligning with the cutout of the pivot seat of the first case. 